It's official, Sky is BLOCKING ALL online PORN

Sky is introducing mandatory porn filters for all new broadband customers in 2016

 

BROADCASTER SKY has revealed plans to BLOCK its users from accessing adult content.

 

Sky is introducing an automatic block on all adult content for new customers, starting next year.

The satellite broadcaster has been considering the measures since January but has now confirmed that all new customers will have to switch the parental filters off before being able to access x-rated content.

The porn blocking is handled by Sky Broadband Shield – which filters what sites can be accessed, as well as protecting against malware-infected or phishing sites.

Until now, new customers are asked whether they want to use Sky Broadband Shield, which lets them filter which websites are seen in their home, as part of the broadband set-up process.

But starting next year – Sky Broadband Shield will be switched on when the broadband is first activated – blocking porn by default.

 

The clever Sky feature has an in-built watershed programme, which restricts different websites and content depending on the time of the day.

The watershed restrictions can be adjusted to block content for age rating options, including PG, 13, 18, Custom or None.

The simplest thing we can do to help them is to automatically turn on filtering

Lyssa McGowan, Sky

 

New Sky broadband customers will be informed that Sky Broadband Shield is on when they visit the internet for the first time.

It will be automatically set to content that's suitable for children until 9pm and then adults afterwards.

Sky is allowing customers to amend the settings or turn it off if they want, by logging into MySky with their password. 

As part of the changes announced today, Sky will repeat this process for all Sky Broadband customers who have joined since November 2013 and have not turned on Sky Broadband Shield.

 

Sky Broadband Shield will now be turned on by default, the broadcaster has confirmed

 

Speaking about the changes Lyssa McGowan, Director of Communications Products for Sky said: “Customers have really come to appreciate the value of Sky Broadband Shield in protecting their families from unwanted and potentially harmful internet content.

"What we have learnt is that as well as the flexibility to set the right level of protection for their homes, they also want us to make it as easy as possible for them.

"The simplest thing we can do to help them is to automatically turn on filtering and then allow customers to easily choose and change their settings.

 

"This means they can have complete peace of mind that they will protected online from the word go.”

Chief Executive of the NSPCC, Peter Wanless added: "This is a big step forward in keeping children safe online and we hope other internet providers will follow Sky's example and automatically turn on parental controls for all broadband customers. Frankly this is a no-brainer."